Governments at all levels must enhance their use of technology, developing efficient e-government to deliver new services in new ways to new groups while facilitating economic growth, promoting equality and providing government services and private sector incentives benefiting all.

Education will play a major role in China's economic and social transformation in the coming years, especially in unleashing the entrepreneurial spirit of its citizens. Children leaving school must be inspired to start their own businesses. Universities must do a better job at linking up with industry so that basic research is promptly and efficiently commercialized and theory and practice are united and converted into socio-economic gains.

Educational policy and practice should encourage greater use of technology in schools as well as the design of innovative curricula that teach students to solve problems and become internationally competitive, especially in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) areas.

Finally, China must continue its significant advances in such areas as environmental greening, nano technology, aerospace and robotics. This will help Chinese industries move up-stream to successfully open up new markets for Chinese goods and services.

In summary, therefore, the focus of the 13th Five-Year Plan is on:

? Innovating: leading Chinese industries to move up the value chain and leveraging China's substantial investments in its telecommunication and technology information infrastructure.

? Balancing: bridging gaps between urban and rural areas, and encouraging greater economic growth of the inland and Western regions to catch up with the advanced coastal areas.

? Greening: rapid development of China's environmental technology industry, promotion of ecologically sustainable living and culture.

? Opening up: greater and deeper participation by everyone in a supranational power structure and promotion of greater international co-operation.

? Sharing: Promoting the realization of the "Chinese Dream" of economic prosperity for all.

While there are significant challenges ahead, when one considers what has been achieved over the last two decades, the world should remain confident that Chinese people and their political, economic and social systems are up to the task.

Eugene Clark is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.h5a3.com/opinion/eugeneclark.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.